IBM (IBM) vs. Microsoft (MSFT)
This page compares IBM (IBM) with Microsoft (MSFT) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
IBM (IBM) and Microsoft (MSFT) both fall under the Software & Services industry group, but IBM is classified in IT Services while MSFT is classified in Software.
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Microsoft Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | IT Consulting & Other Services | Systems Software |
| Market Capitalization | 208.96 billion USD | 3,100.78 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 13, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.58% | 3.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.93% | 5.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -29.13% | -17.94% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -17.17% | -9.03% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.74% | 2.36% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -24.94% | -13.69% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.35M | 34.60M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.10M | 36.22M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.39% | 27.14% |
| Beta | 0.56 | 1.09 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both IBM (IBM) at 35.53% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 33.13% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
35.53%
- Max
- 62.31%
- Q3
- 20.29%
- Median
- 7.31%
- Q1
- -8.50%
- Min
- -50.67%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
33.13%
- Max
- 62.31%
- Q3
- 20.29%
- Median
- 7.31%
- Q1
- -8.50%
- Min
- -50.67%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 39.34% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of IBM (IBM) at 15.60%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
15.60%
- Max
- 44.20%
- Q3
- 16.48%
- Median
- 8.18%
- Q1
- -3.67%
- Min
- -28.43%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
39.34%
- Max
- 44.20%
- Q3
- 16.48%
- Median
- 8.18%
- Q1
- -3.67%
- Min
- -28.43%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 46.75% ranks in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of IBM (IBM) at 15.32%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
15.32%
- Max
- 46.75%
- Q3
- 17.04%
- Median
- 6.53%
- Q1
- -4.60%
- Min
- -34.31%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
46.75%
- Max
- 46.75%
- Q3
- 17.04%
- Median
- 6.53%
- Q1
- -4.60%
- Min
- -34.31%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.53% | 33.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.13% | 19.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.60% | 39.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.32% | 46.75% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 58.36% | 68.31% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 1.28 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while IBM (IBM) at 0.80 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for IBM.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
0.80
- Max
- 4.52
- Q3
- 2.50
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.31
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
1.28
- Max
- 4.52
- Q3
- 2.50
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.31
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 0.25 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while IBM (IBM) at 2.01 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
2.01
- Max
- 2.69
- Q3
- 1.27
- Median
- 0.38
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
0.25
- Max
- 2.69
- Q3
- 1.27
- Median
- 0.38
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
Microsoft (MSFT) leads with Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) of 891.80, above its industry benchmark range, while IBM (IBM) at 45.57 also ranks strongly in the top quartile.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
45.57
- Max
- 45.58
- Q3
- 11.44
- Median
- -0.40
- Q1
- -13.69
- Min
- -51.04
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
891.80
- Max
- 45.58
- Q3
- 11.44
- Median
- -0.40
- Q1
- -13.69
- Min
- -51.04
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 1.28 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 1.27 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.01 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 891.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 9.46% | 18.30% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 9.67% | 17.87% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 3.72% | 12.42% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 4.12% | 14.52% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 14.24% | 23.32% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 94.45% | 29.75% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 83.85% | 12.24% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 12.36% | 18.80% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both IBM (IBM) at 2.99% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 0.82% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
2.99%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
0.82%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both IBM (IBM) at 58.43% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 20.65% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
58.43%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
20.65%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.99% | 0.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.43% | 20.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both IBM (IBM) at 19.53 and Microsoft (MSFT) at 25.21 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
19.53
- Max
- 112.36
- Q3
- 62.61
- Median
- 31.31
- Q1
- 14.45
- Min
- 0.35
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
25.21
- Max
- 112.36
- Q3
- 62.61
- Median
- 31.31
- Q1
- 14.45
- Min
- 0.35
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IBM (IBM) at 3.05 carries typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Microsoft (MSFT) at 9.92 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — MSFT carries a higher trailing revenue multiple relative to peers.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
3.05
- Max
- 17.16
- Q3
- 8.26
- Median
- 4.08
- Q1
- 2.21
- Min
- 0.12
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
9.92
- Max
- 17.16
- Q3
- 8.26
- Median
- 4.08
- Q1
- 2.21
- Min
- 0.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Both IBM (IBM) at 6.91 and Microsoft (MSFT) at 6.63 post Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on book-value multiple.
IBM
Software & Services industry group
6.91
- Max
- 20.48
- Q3
- 9.90
- Median
- 4.69
- Q1
- 2.39
- Min
- 0.32
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
6.63
- Max
- 20.48
- Q3
- 9.90
- Median
- 4.69
- Q1
- 2.39
- Min
- 0.32
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.53 | 25.21 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.05 | 9.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.91 | 6.63 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.13 | 43.29 |